New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-11-19

MISSOURI BORDER RUFFIANs IN IOWA.
NOTORIOUS CRIMINALS IN HARDIN COUNTY-HOw
THY ESCAPE PUNISHMENT.


ELDOIA, Iowa. Nov. 1a.-Thlriy years ago thero
moved into Hardin Comfy a family named Rains
berger, consisting the her. George Ransborger
and five sons william. Finley, Nathan. Enamel and
Frank There also five daughters. William
the eldest son. was married whom no came here and
has raised family Of four boys. who pride themselves
on their nOtoricty as RansborgerS. William had
served term In tho pcnontiary In Missouri before
he camo to this county. They were all poor when
thcy here, and to IepicnlSh their larders they
made frequent leveS their neighborS' stock Tho
RalnsbOrgcr methods of doing business frequently led
TO tho arrest OF member Of the family but they
weIe always able to establish an abb In February
1906 FIN RaInsborscr stabbed and Killed Charles
Wales in crowded store at Steamboat Deck This
act brought the family into general notoricty for the
first time. The defence was managed so clcrerly
that Fin, only served two years.
When he returned from the penentlary, his broi hers
by degrees drawn into his crimes. Tho people
several Intellectual attempts to enforce tho law
II up in despair. Tho torch of tho incendiary
The manning Of their STOCK convinced the most
that IL dangerous business TO cause ihc
arrest of RaInsborgcr or to testify against him.
Not until the murder of Ennch Johnson on November
Is, 1884. which aroused the people Of this and adj
Joining cOnntics there any concert OF action In
bringing the scoundIel, to justice. Johnson was a
countcrfeer who married Nottle RinSborger and
was murdered by Frank and "Nate' Rainsborgcr.
no evidence was fOund lmpHcdilnH tho
but six weeks after the murder Notc RainSborger
word to the Coroner that she afraid OF her
life and wanted him to help her to get away from
homo. Tho next day She brought to Fldora and
had to be- guarded for nearly year. determined
the gang To Mil her. Nate and Frank werr both
sent TO tho penitonary for lfD their sisters esl
dencc. In March the supreme Court OF Iowa granted
Nalo EalnsbOrgrr "A now trial on a writ OF error
Coroner Underwood and IN RttenOUr. who had
made themselves obnoxious tn the gang 10y taking
part In the prosecution We're i!cd upon in the Rains
berger district. Tie attack made by four men
with handkcrchefs Tied the lOwer part OF fhcr
farrs The doctors c>cAp0i Wrhnui scratch,
although their clothes and tuggy struck by
several bullets. The next day William. " Fin" and
Enamel KansrI gor arrested William gave
bail aud released while the other two were placed
In jail AT FEDORA That night they wcrc attached In
N" Jail taken away by mob OF over 100 men anu
rdiicd with bullets. Thrii hudies were left lying
In the street Instead of frightening the icmandeI
Il the gang this only made them moro desperate and
they vowed 10 b. reycngcd Threatening lcitci> Mero
sent witnesses and effort made 10 ihiihlidi'
she people Horses aud cattle wcro hanl>itnHS ana
kilied fimy burned ont and several pee som Shoi
A. several cut thrOaiS wrrc Imported ana "ciN
detailed "A hulcaair slaughter. Then they ifEai
fighting among Themselves. ON November : it,
Esiu,l -c, Ii"l rr II John huni'r who had learned
some al thrir secrets. The :our EainehorgcrS Nh"
took part I'm the shooting, the mother 81 IN uul"r
.rs the daughter ami son inlaw, and 40 WOMEN
leloueinc t. rhc ga1g. whom thy iinugli To their
linp.. ne sunday H. to. be relied upon To SUI
tain tlo aihi ami IL VIII b" nine Witnesses aedh>i
ne rhr peopie threaten 4" take tho la" In ihor